Great Expectations--Words From The Prophet

Brigham Young University has the wonderful opportunity to hold firesides and devotional in the Marriot Center on a regular basis. The speakers usually include highly esteemed professors or General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In most cases, the firesides are broadcasted across the world to other young adults. The words they speak are ones that can become of a great benefit to those who earnestly listen and take to heart. On January 11, 2009, President Thomas S. Monson gave a CES Fireside Message. By exercising multiple effective strategies of ethos, he influenced many people to continue to be strong and diligent through their course of life.

Building trust is the main strategy an author exercises when creating ethos. President Thomas S. Monson uses statements like "My dear young friends" and "my young brothers and sisters." These statements draw a connection between President Monson and those who hear his voice. Such words build trust between the speaker and the listener because people tend to trust those who are family, friends, and those who are of importance to them. In addition, the use of "young" demonstrates an authoritative voice since it implies he is older and therefore wiser from more years of experience.

President Thomas S. Monson continues to build this established trust throughout his speech by using the words "we" and "our" in order to establish the idea that the audience shares similar experiences with himself. By using a first-person point of view, "an intimate, personal, and friendly relationship [is created] between writer and readers." (W & R, p. 61) For example, President Monson states, "Greater than our period of academic preparation is the matter of spiritual preparation. We must acquire for ourselves a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which testimony will be an anchor to our soul...We must first have a desire to know for ourselves. We must study. We must pray. We must do the will of the father. And then we will know the truth." (p. 4, par. 5 & 12) His statement demonstrates that he too must do these things. Therefore, this allows readers to trust him more because he is discussing a topic that is of great personal importance.

Not only that, but President Monson's topic is one that shows his interests in others. This is shown when he applies a second-person point of view. He states, "Oh, my young brothers and sisters, make room for the Lord in your homes and in your hearts, and He will be your companion. He will be by your side. He will teach you the way of truth...You can go forward in this race of life and achieve your own great expectations." This technique grabs the readers attention and convinces the audience of his concern for them through his repetitive use of "you" and "your." With both a first- and second-person point of view, President Thomas S. Monson gives a very "balanced presentation." (W & R, p. 62)

Not only does President Monson use point of view to effectively use ethos, but he also builds credibility through "voice merging. Voice merging occurs when a writer quotes, paraphrases, or alludes to an authoritative voice." (W & R, p. 60) He quotes or paraphrases scriptures from the book of Ecclesiastes, First Peter, the book of Abraham, John, D & C, Hebrews, and Second Timothy. Additionally, he quotes influential figures such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Charles Dickens, Dr. Glenn Doman, Henry Ford, Joseph Smith, Stephen L Richards, John Dryden, Christopher Columbus, and the Apostle Paul.

President Thomas S. Monson's persuasion about his care for the young adults and his knowledge through personal experience allowed speech became such an influential and convincing message. This is because he successfully built trust with the audience through his choice of words and quotes and developed strong ethos and credibility for himself.

Proactiv Solutions

If you want to get rid of acne, you need to use Proactiv Solutions--everybody knows that. Why? Because Proactiv advertisements are pure genius. A key to their advertisement is an effective appeal to the right audience.

Getting on the Proactiv website is like diving into pool beautiful people. You are graced with endless pictures of actresses, of dancers, and of Miss America. These bombshells are there to say "You can look like me if you use Proactiv!" The advertisement is appealing not to beautiful people, but people who want to be beautiful. Proactiv realizes that they can appeal to these people's emotions more than those of others. Realizing this increases their productivity because they draw the interest of the right people. All someone has to do is use the three step treatment and they will be beautiful.

Another interesting point is that the advertisement seems to focus more on females. Four out of the five celebrity endorsements on the home page are females. Girls tend to care about how they look more than boys, therefore, they are the ones that will spend more money on skin care. Studies have also shown that women also tend to have acne longer in their life as well. In their 40's, over 26% of women and only 12% of men had acne. By focusing their advertisement on women Proactiv is appealing to a bigger market and increasing their profit.

Lastly, Proactiv is clearly focusing their advertisement on white people. Every celebrity endorsement, and all but one of the "before and after" examples are Caucasian. In the United States the average white has a higher income than the average African-American or Hispanic. Proactiv appeals mainly to whites because they are the people with the most money. Once again, they are focusing on the audience that will give them the highest profit.

Proactiv Solutions has success because they capture the right audience in their advertisement. Specifically, they appeal to white females that want to be beautiful. Although they capture many other audiences who benefit from the product, they have pinpointed the key users of Proactiv. This appeal makes their advertisements successful.

Video Game Violence

Video Games and Violence

Links to video games and teen violence have been proven in the last couple of years. Many argue that video games are just that, a game. But studies have shown that there is more brian activity in the emotional arousal section of the brain, called the amygdala. The research has also found that there is also a "decrease of activity in brain areas involved in self-control, inhibition, and attention." (par. 2)

But who really cares about video game violence? Definitely not the teenagers who play these types of video games. Teenagers who enjoy their PS2s and their Xboxes don't want to hear about how they may becoming more violent or losing their self-control. So who cares? Well the parents care. That is why the article "Does game violence make teens aggressive?" is completely geared towards the parents of children who play video games.

This article is very scientific and wouldn't be as interesting for a younger person to read. The subject is very appealing to adults who have teenagers because they would obviously be concerned for their kids and violence. Because it is so capturing for a parent who wants to know more about how violence and video games are related, the parent will continue reading the article to learn about the relationship.

Although other audiences may find interest in this article, for example grandparents or babysitters, the main targeted audience is the parents. "...there's a much smaller body of research on video games...That's a scary thing for a parent." (par. 16) Parents have the most influence over their children and their activities. Neighbors, friends, and relatives do not have that same inpact. These other audiences can persuade teens one way or another, but not as directly as parents. Therefore, the article is going to aim the arguments to parents. "...parents need to be more aware of how kids are using their free time." (par. 30)

I found this article on the internet and when I opened the page, an advertisement popped up. I found it interesting that an article that is against video games and violence, would have a pop up advertisement for the Xbox 360 Elite which is now $100 off. I wondered how the advertising company could be so dumb and put the new Xbox ad on "Does game violence make teens aggressive?". Then I thought that maybe teens would find this article interesting. Teens who want to argue that video games don't lead to violence might want to read this aritcle to understand the other view point. So although the main audience is the parents, teens might also read this article, even though they are not the intended audience.

Pathos--In General Conference

During the 179th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in April 2009, Elder Jeffery R. Holland gave a moving address about the atonement and crucifixion of the Savior Jesus Christ. Through his use of pathos, he is able to effectively provoke the thoughts of the audience which cause them to more deeply reflect on what happened during that great historical event and what it truly means to them.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland exercises the "strategies for creating an emotional appeal" through his vivid details and language. (W & R, pg. 66) He is able to "re-create an emotional experience in such a way that readers actually feel the associated emotion." (W & R, pg. 67) Now one thing to point out: to truly understand what the Savior did is incomprehensible. However, Holland is able to describe the life-ending journey of the Savior as completely as possible by the mere mortal human through imagery.

This vivid imagery of the final stages of Jesus Christ's life makes this message so concrete.

He continues to use emotional appeal strategies, all of which increases pathos in an argument, by using words such as solitude, withdrawal, loneliness, hopelessness, despair, anguish, brutality, denial, abandonment and betrayal. This diction creates a feeling of empathy toward Christ and all that he suffered. His argument is strong in the fact that the "perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing" (par. 13) NEVER deserved to be be treated in the ruthless way that he was. This argument easily allows the audiences' emotions to be aroused considering most people believe the innocent should not be punished.

The words of Elder Holland have now also become the narration to a video post depicting the final days of the Savior. Now with the addition of visual aids, the message becomes more vivid and therefore, more concrete. The clips shown is the video post causes one to feel great emotion towards the Savior, considering the images shown are painful and filled with sadness. One is able to better understand only a fraction of the inexpressible pain Christ suffered.

Holland continues his message to explain that these terrible feelings were essential in order to have they Savior of the World experience EVERYTHING, including the withdrawal of the Spirit, and in order to complete the Atonement for all mankind.

By the conclusion of Elder Holland's talk, he now incorporates why this journey should be important to others. I cannot better explain how the Savior's journey affects the lives of mankind today than by what Elder Holland stated. "One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, “I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” (par. 15)

Through this statement, the audience will realize the blessing Jesus Christ can be in their life because they now don't have to experience the pain that Elder Holland so vividly expressed. Pathos, both through words and imagery, allows Elder Holland's remarkable words carry an emotionally powerful effect today on one's reflection on the meaning of the Savior Jesus Christ. By keeping the audience in an emotional bond with what he previously explained, he is able to successfully deliver his final plead to the us. He desires that "we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear...[that] we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death.” (par. 16)

Heathcare

Now is the Time to Deliver on Healthcare
President Obama uses logos to connect his ideas together and show how healthcare needs to be reformed now. Logos was a much better chioce for Obama to use instead of pathos because he is talking to Congress. By logically expressing his ideas for change in healthcare, Obama appeals more to Congress because they are persuaded by the law and how the country is run. Pathos wouldn't change Congress' ideas about healthcare because emotions will not dictate their decisions.

President Obama talks about the health care problem which started during President Roosevelt's term. And now, Obama is "determined to be the last" president to take up the cause of healthcare (par. 1). He explains that now support comes from hospitals, even the hospitals who were against the healthcare reform before. At this point is his speech, Obama has introduced his major topic and showed that he has support from Americans. The next step he takes is introducing his specific plan of action.

Obama explains his three main points that cover why the American people need help with their healthcare, and how the government can help them at low costs. He not only includes the American people, but also Congress and their own healthcare plans. Obama explains that if you have health insurance already, you will not need to change your coverage. However if you need health insurance, you can find affordable coverage. Then he links it all together and why it matters. "[It] makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives." (par. 11)

Finally, President Obama says that he will not waste any time with anyone who doesn't want to improve healthcare and he explains why. "Everyone... knows what will happen if we do nothing... More families will go bankrupt... More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it most. And more will die as a result." (par. 16) Obama connects the issue of his healthcare proposal to what the result will be if action is not taken. President Obama used logos very effectively when he addressed Congress and demonstrated why a change in healthcare needs to take place.

Letter From Liberty Jail

In 1839 Joseph Smith wrote a letter to the church from the depths of Liberty Jail. He was writing to give the body of the church guidance and counsel, but how could he establish ethos from just writing a simple letter? The first two paragraphs of the letter are used very effectively in this pursuit.

In the first sentence Joseph establishes himself as a servant to the the church. He says "Your humble servant [...] prisoner for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the Saints, taken and held by the power of mobocracy, under [an] exterminating reign." The Latter Day Saint reader immediately faces social suicide if they question Joseph's credibility, because at the same time they would be questioning Christ's credibility. He calls himself their humble servant. Of course you are going to respect and listen to the words of someone who is serving you. He also calls himself a prisoner for Christ's sake. The Saints live for Christs sake, and they will likewise give their full attention to someone who says they are suffering for Christ. Joseph establishes ethos by establishing himself as someone that has the exact same beliefs as the Saints in Nauvoo. It is much the same reason as why someone listens to their parents. For the most part, parents have the same thinking, rationale, and beliefs as their children.

Joseph goes on to shower the Saints with blessings like knowledge and faith. It is clear that he only wants what is best for the fledgling church, and at this point a reader cannot deny that. The reader (with or without knowing it) is probably in full awe of Joseph's authoritative figure. It is hard to disrespect someone that is giving you candy bars. By bestowing blessing upon the Saints he is simultaneously earning their confidence and trust.

In the second paragraph Joseph describes his dire situation. He says "we have been taken prisoners charged falsely with every kind of evil, and thrown into prison, enclosed with strong walls, surrounded with a strong wall." He goes on to compare the jail guard to the devil. By doing this he establishes the wickedness of the opposing party. It makes the reader think it would be a sin to support them. By pointing out that he has been falsely charged, it makes it seem okay for the reader to be on Joseph's side. They might not want to be on his side however, if he had been rightly charged for a real crime. This further establishes his "good guy" ethos.

In the end however, Joseph would most like have good ethos no matter what. First of all, he is the prophet, and he is writing to people who believe that. He is in good standing among the Saints which gives him authority and influence. This letter catalyzes the building of his ethos by identifying with the reader, and establishing an authoritative voice that the Saints listen to.

Heathcare

I read President Obama's "Now is the Time to Deliver on Healthcare" speech to Congress proposing his plan on Health Care.

President Obama has been talking about health care all throughout his presidental campain and now, as President. Presenting his ideas about health care need to be brought out at the right time. At a time when Americans want to listen to what he wants to say. Obama uses kairos in this particular speech by specifically stating why now is the time for action and for implimenting his health care proposal. Obama says, "Now is the season for action... Now is the time to deliver on health care". (par. 6)

According the the life cycle of a rhetorical situation, Obama is just leaving the origin stage. Some Americans are still becoming more aware of what his health care plan is and what their personal benifits would be.

A large majority of Americans, however, are aware of Obama's proposal and have formed their own oppinions about it. This is the beginnings of the maturity stage. Obama is talking to Congress and therefore, the discussing and deciding process is going on. A decision will soon be reached determining whether Obama's health care plan should be implimented. Because this is the most critical moment of debate, it is very important that Obama proves his point and takes advantage of the opportunites he has to convince Congress and the American people.

Obama includes himself with congress by using words like "we" and "us". He combines the Democrates and the Republicans together and shows how his health care program will help everyone.

Obama explains that this is the time to change health care because if we don't fix it now, there will be no possible way to compromise. He futher explains that this has been a long-time problem that we need to fix and make better for the future.

By using the time Obama has to speak and persuade Congress, he is using kairos to his advantage and seizing the moment. Obama understands that he needs the Congress to approve of his plan for action to take place. At this critical or maturity stage, it is very important that he uses the time effectively before a decision is reached and the cycle moves to deterioration and disintegration.

Pearl Harbor

In his famous address, FDR said, "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." However, this quote may not be quite as sincere as it seems at first.

Before the attack on Pearl Harbor a majority of Americans wanted to stay out of World War Two. It is largely believed that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in the minority wanting to enter the conflict, however, if he had just entered the war with no crowning incentice he would've lost a huge amount of his public support. Pearl Harbor gave FDR his chance. The very next day he delivered a famous address to the nation in front of a joint session of Congress. Using poweful lagnuage, he rallied tremendous support for entering World War Two, which he did. One day earlier and this speech would have been laughed at. This was the opportunity to go to the war because the citizenry was mad. Their home had just been attacked, and Americans don't stand for that. It would not have been possibly for FDR to rally his country to war if they didn't have Pearl Harbor fresh in their heads. They wanted to get even with the Axis Powers.

FDR's language also took advantage of the moment. By adding the word "yesterday" at the beginning of his speech he adds a tremendous sense of urgency. He uses the words "suddenly" and "deliberately" to help infuriate American citizens. If Japan acted suddenly and deliberately, shouldn't the U.S. respond in the same manner?

President Roosevelt took advantage of the opportune moment. He appealed to the right people at the right time, in the right place. Although a huge majority of American's believed in isolationism before the Japanese attack, Roosevelt succesfully engaged the moment to turn the tide of American opinion. Americans were also outraged that the Japanese had attacked their homeland; it wasn't some distant war that nobody cared about anymore. FDR harnessed the energy released by the attack and infused it into the American population. They were enraged and wanted to do something about it. The president brilliantly used Pearl Harbor as his backdoor into World War Two.

The Americans had been attacked, they had been attacked in their homeland, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt seized the opprtune moment.

Glenn Beck on Congress and Corruption

On September 17, 2009, the Senate voted against (52-43) the S.Amdt 2410 to H.R. 3288 which is to limit the use of funds for the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. Now this airport has some amazing features to it. As Glenn Beck said on his September 17th show, "It's beautiful — according to published reports it's got a $7 million air traffic control tower, a $14 million hangar and an $18 million state-of-the-art runway." (par. 7)

Now, one would expect there to be heavy traffic for this AMAZING airport, but sadly there are, according to Beck, some problems with this high-tech airport. First, there are only three flights a day to Washington, D.C. Second, only a total of 6,700 passengers are served a year. And lastly, "the airport has received over $150 million in taxpayer funding and then another $800,000 in stimulus money to repave an 'alternate runway.'" (par. 9)

As you know, the US, and other parts are the world, are currently going through an economical crisis. Now Glenn Beck might be a bit strong in his choice of words, but his thoughts still provoke others to become upset with what the Senate has decided on regarding this proposed amendment. "We aren't the richest nation in the world. We just spent the most money.

"But there is no more money. If you understand that, wouldn't it be a no-brainer to not spend $20 million a year on an airport only one dirt-bag [John Murtha] uses to go to Washington, D.C., for his dirt-bag deals?" (par. 12)

In his address, Beck presents his idea of "fifty-six 're-founders' to stand up to the corruption and the special interests in [their] own party. Stand up to what Washington, D.C. has become." (par. 5)

Glenn Beck addresses this issue of political corruption at the "right" time. His message was delivered after Senate decided on it's vote. By showing multiple,recent examples of how corruption is taking place in Washington, he is able to make a very convincing argument, especially through his use of kairos by delivering his message at the "right" time.

The second part of Kairos includes addressing an issue to the "right" people. Glenn Beck calls to the citizens of the United States of America. He urges them to take the necessary steps to remove those who cause corruption and replace them with "56 brave, good, decent human beings." (par. 5) He speaks to those who are in the sound of his voice, those who are probably interested in current issues and his thoughts. This is a prime group that will mostly like heed his words. Again, by using kairos, Beck is able to have an even stronger argument by exercising more than one aspect of kairos.

Lastly, kairos includes making an argument in the "right circumstance." According to the life cycle of a rhetorical situation, the debate for the proposed amendment is in the disintegration phase because "the process of change becomes practically irreversible. Decisions have been made and put into action. Many groups have moved on to other issues." (W & R, p. 47, par. 4) However, the issue Glenn Beck brings up (that there is corruption in our government) is at the deterioration stage. "The prime moment for influencing the opinion of decision makers has passed, and a solution may be in the early stages of implementation. Positions on the issues are well established." (W & R, p. 47, par. 3) One can argue that most people already have made an opinion on corruption. Additionally, Beck presents this issue after President Obama took office. He then takes advantage of this issue being in the deterioration stage since many of his listeners, who are mostly conservative, did not support Obama's candidacy. This then opens an opportunity for listeners to take charge and try to create this change in democracy that Beck and others want to see. Once more Beck tactfully uses kairos to make an effective argument, that might just one day help to amend the American government that the citizens are affected by.